Slovak Parliament Erupts in Dispute Over “Acid Men” Remark
Bratislava – A heated exchange in the Slovak Parliament on Thursday, , saw accusations fly and a session temporarily suspended after an opposition MP likened the governing coalition to “acid men,” a phrase with dark connotations in Slovak history. The outburst, delivered by Zuzana Mesterová of Progressive Slovakia (PS), prompted a sharp rebuke from parliamentary speaker Andrej Danko, leader of the Slovak National Party (SNS).
The incident occurred during a debate on the floor of the National Council of the Slovak Republic. Following a statement by Štefan Kišš of Progressive Slovakia, Mesterová took the floor and delivered the controversial remark, sparking immediate tension in the chamber. While the intent was clearly metaphorical, the choice of words resonated with a history of organized crime in Slovakia, prompting a strong reaction from Danko.
“This Governing Coalition Are Acid Men,” Declares Mesterová
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This governing coalition are acid men,” Mesterová stated, reportedly to Danko’s surprise. She elaborated, “They are dissolving taxpayers’ money in the acid of corruption,” clarifying that her statement was not a reference to any specific criminal group. Danko, a trained lawyer, immediately challenged the phrasing, interrupting Mesterová shortly after her initial statement.
“Please, you know who the acid men are, so choose your words differently,” Danko admonished Mesterová. She responded, “I know it’s difficult for you to hear, Mr. Speaker. You don’t like hearing it because you are participating in it. I understand that, Mr. Speaker, but that’s simply how We see.”
The exchange quickly escalated, drawing in Jozef Pročko of the Movement Slovakia party, who was also present in the chamber.
“I Will Not Have You Call Me an Acid Man!” Danko Retorts
“I will ask you to stop… I suspend your speech. I will ask you not to refer to me or this government as acid men in this hall! What do you allow yourself to say?! What do you allow yourself to say?!” Danko exclaimed, visibly angered. He then turned his attention to Pročko, attempting to silence his interjections with a sharp, “You be quiet too!”
The opposition attempted to defend Mesterová’s statement, arguing it was a figure of speech. “So, the coalition are acid men, murderers, yes?” Danko pressed, seeking clarification from Darina Luščíková of Progressive Slovakia after her own contribution to the debate. “No, it’s a comparison,” Pročko interjected. Danko, clearly frustrated, concluded by stating, “I apologized yesterday for a complete foolishness to you. Ms. Mesterová, I will proceed with procedure and ask you… I am suspending the session…” He then gestured his displeasure to Finance Minister Ladislav Kamenický, who was seated nearby.
The incident highlights the increasingly fractious political climate in Slovakia, where accusations of corruption and abuse of power are frequently leveled against the governing coalition. The use of such charged language, particularly one with historical resonance, underscores the deep divisions within the country’s political landscape. The term “acid men” evokes memories of a particularly brutal period in Slovak history, linked to organized crime groups who used acid to dissolve evidence and intimidate opponents.
While Mesterová’s intention was clearly to criticize the government’s alleged corruption, the choice of words proved inflammatory, leading to a breakdown in parliamentary decorum and a temporary suspension of proceedings. The incident is likely to fuel further debate about the state of political discourse in Slovakia and the challenges facing the country in its fight against corruption.
The suspension of the session underscores the sensitivity surrounding the issue and the potential for further escalation. It remains to be seen whether the incident will lead to any formal disciplinary action against Mesterová or whether it will simply serve as another example of the increasingly polarized nature of Slovak politics.
